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Fail-Proof User Interface Design Principles That are Guaranteed

Fail-Proof User Interface Design Principles That are Guaranteed

As a user interface designer, you’ve had to use apps with interfaces not designed by you.

You must have encountered a design that you considered great. What do you think made your experience awesome?

Also, you must have seen several other designs you rated whack. What was missing or overbearing?

Learning principles can get boring and tiring. You, like every life-long learner, know or perhaps share this feeling. Yet, you know that principles are like the lighthouse out in the vast sea of busy-ness and creativity that guides you back to shore.

The core principles of user interface design make the difference between your wow- and whack interface designs. Let’s take a closer look.

Core Principles of User Interface Design

1. User Onboarding

I consider user onboarding a core part of UI design. A user’s first experience with your interface design could go a long way in determining how far the user would interact with it.

However, it is relevant, perhaps a need, to design for the first time user. While it doesn’t mean designing void pages, it means providing necessary directions.

Similarly, guide the user to understand the flow of your interface; how and where to get their tasks done.

Imagine using an app for the first time, and you are not sure where to go or what to do. So, I guess you see why this came first.

So, an interface design that gives aesthetic satisfaction while remaining efficient for the app function is the goal.

4. Flexibility

First, create responsive designs over static ones. Also, keep in mind the design getting viewed on devices of different resolutions and account for that.

Consider employing conventional interface designs, basic typography, and relevant content. They are fail-proof. Get genius where you need to be and choose that moment correctly.

Secondly, let the users stay in charge. Give them control. Let them go where they want to, do what they want to, and see what they want to see.

Don’t try to coerce users using your design. They know best what they are trying to achieve, and similarly how they would want to do it.

Stay flexible and let the users drive their experience.

5. Familiarity

Effective interface designs should create a sense of familiarity. Using simple and traditional layouts make this a reality. However, here are few things to keep in perspective, to create a familiar design:

what to do (use clear call-to-actions and buttons. Don’t get clever with this)

Where to go (Navigations, keep them seamless)

How to do and What’s happening (keep color codes common and consistent)

8. Performance

As a user interface designer, you should find out what the major tasks of the user are. What tasks are they trying to complete with your design? When you find what that is, make it primary in your design. Every other thing should remain secondary.

Also, try to reduce the processes between the start of the task and its accomplishment. Ideally, reducing the time and hassle of carrying out the tasks for the users.

However, this could be as simple as integrating stages or reducing the number of pages. Just do it.